New Bold Predictions

[Ryan Mink]

Alright fans, it's time for this week's Bold Predictions!

Q: Which Ravens unit will finish ranked higher in the NFL in 2011: offense or defense? Why?

The best answers will be featured in tomorrow's blog edition on BaltimoreRavens.com!

[Romo Ravens]

Cam Cameron = Not offense

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Defense.

With the return of Kindle the pass rush will be improved. The secondary will be aided by the addition of Jimmy Smith. Increased contributions from Mt. Cody, Kruger and Art Jones will inject youth into the lineup.

The success of the offense still relies on the offensive line improving. More specifically Gaither returning will help dramatically.

[Dubs]

Unless our int return yards and kickoffs begin counting on the offenses statistics then I will have to go defense...Joking aside our offense will be solid just not in that top 5 range like our defense. With a solid ground game this year I could see us cracking the top 10 but that is a big if with McClain and McGahee possibly both gone. Plus I think our defense got better this year with Jimmy Smith, Foxworth returning and the young budding players like Webb, Cody, Kruger, Mcclain, Kindle.

[Ravensfan23]

Safe pick is on the defense. We've finished top 10 in defense the last 3 years and I don't see that changing.

Most people won't be able to wrap their minds around the offense being ranked higher then the defense, but I personally think they'll come close this season.

With the additions we've made to the offense in Smith, Hardy, Doss and Allen, added to the progression of the 2nd year guys, Dickson, Pitta, Reed, and Steele, I think the Ravens offense will really take off this season.

Ravens fans speak so poorly about Cam Cameron as if the entire offense was bad last season. Most people don't understand that our offense was really good last season, we just failed to come up big in the biggest games, because we lacked a few elements that would have taken the offense to the next level. We potentially have those elements now.

With the weapons we've seemingly surrounded Joe Flacco with, I think the offense will be explosive this year. For the first time in franchise history the Ravens offense will finish top 10 in every major category.

I think if Jimmy Smith and Sergio Kindle can be the players we expect them to be early, they'll help return our defense to an elite status.

The Defense will finish #2 in the NFL, the Offense will finish #9 in the NFL..The Ravens will finish #1 in the NFL.

"IF" there's a NFL in 2011.

[Alexir]

D-Fence!! D -Fence!! Just look at the schedule, young QBs Versus their worst dream. Top 3 defense, Top 15 Offense.

[ravenbeast]

defense with kindle coming back we get a pass rush opposite of suggs and jimmy smith will be a huge addition and a shutdown corner u can take that one to the bank.And im with ozzie breakout player terrance cody.

[Ed_Reed20]

While there appear to be a lot of things worth getting excited about on offense, I have to go with the D.

Ngata, Suggs, Reed and Ray are all obviously quality players. The talent pool seems to be growing beyond them though. Cody and McClain have worked hard this off-season and could both break out in 2011. J.J., Redding and McKinney return as unheralded but solid contributors. Kruger, Ellerbe and Jones should push for more playing time. There's uncertainty surrounding the CB position, but the players guaranteed to be on the team in Foxworth, Webb and Smith are all really talented. On top of all that, if Kindle can successfully get back on the field, the team may have finally found a true pass rushing complement to Sizzle.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Defense, and the D will return to elite form. However, I do think the Offense will make a big leap this year in production and consistency. They'll shock people this year.

[Free Agent]

Defense. Ray Lewis and company will be strong yet again. The addition of Jimmy Smith will help the secondary, while the clearance of Sergio Kindle should bolster the pass rush. Add in a few free agent acquisitions, and the Ravens D will be a force to reckon with.

[EdReedFTW]

This isnt even close. #3 ranked scoring defense last year. With an easier schedule. With an improved secondary and probably a better pass rush. Ray and Ed would both have to retire for the offense to have a better rank and even then Ngata and Suggs still wouldnt let that happen. Defense wins easy.

[K-Dog]

Defense.
A healthy Ed Reed, a fired up Ray Lewis. This might be another banner year for the D.

[Crabcakes&Football]

The Defense, not a bold prediction but one of the safest bets in sports. I could see us being #1 in D# next year. Our offense will be improved from last season I believe, hopefully even cracks the top ten.

[gabefergy]

Are we talking Scoring or Yards? For Scoring I think the Defense will be a stronger unit, but for Total Yards I think the Offense has a good chance to be better. With all the weapons the Ravens have put around Joe, I think we will see a breakout year for the Offense.

[deathbird52]

Is this really a question worth asking? Defense!!!

[YYZ66]

With the uncertainty of the offensive line, I'd have to say the D will be ranked higher. Will Yanda, Chester, and Gaither be back? Is Gaither truly 100% healthy? Will Reid be able to step in and play at the pro level effectively if needed? Too many "ifs" with the O line, but I agree with most here, the D will be stellar!

But, I hope I'm wrong! How terrifying a thought is it for the rest of the NFL if the Ravens offense would be ranked higher than their defense?

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

This is rough because, we dont even know what our final roster is going to look like. If we resign Gaither and all of our O-line cogs, and leave the D alone then I would say the offense has a great chance of outperforming the defense.

If the defense gets that one player such as Aso then the offense would have to be #1 to outperform the D because that is where they will be.

Going off the current players though and seeing how it is progressing and this being bold predictions I am going to say that just of our CURRENT roster that the O does better.

A few reason's, first and foremost Cam is going to be calling plays like his job depends on it because, it does. I personally have said how horrible he was last year and stand by that. however this year if he does the same things he and his family are going to be putting the house up for sale.

Second is now we finally have a complete offense. We have the speed guy, the possession guy, the route runner, and the giant guy. We also have a budding young QB who I think steps through the window this year, and a QB's best friend which is a running game. The issues on the 0-line could be better but we did just draft a guy who I think can gut out a decent performance at RT and move Yanda back to his natural position.

[Gordo52]

Special Teams.
Cundiff+Koch=Greatest ever.
Torrey Smith= 5 KO returns next year.
BOLD

[izvoodoo]

Offense, because the defenses we are playing are atrocious are considerably better. But hey, time of possession goes into defenses favor right?

[lgcs27288]

All signs point to defense. With the lockout going on for so long and teams not having OTAs, players haven't had the chance to get together and gather chemistry. New coaches haven't been able to speak to player. Plus, there isn't a certainty of when the lockout will end.

On the other side, with Cam Cameron still calling the shots, I just do not see anything changing. Hopefully with the addition of Smith, he will be the only one running deep routes. We also need to do something on the O-line to fix our running problem.

Defense all the way!

[ravensdfan]

This is about BOLD predictions yes?

While I won't take anything away from our defense: I think they will be in the Top 5 vs the run, Top 10 vs the pass and in the Top 5 overall, I'm going to say offense.

It is time for Cam to put up or well, you know the rest. With Harbs more involved offensively, Joe ready to take the reins, Ozzie saying it will be Joe's offense and all the unwarranted criticism Joe has received this off-season, I think the offense is ready to rumble. We've added speed and youth at WR, which was a big part of what was holding the offense back. I see this offense taking off and making all the NFL pundits shake in their shorts when they think of all they've said this off season.

[SpeedKills]

Look, I know this is bold predictions, but I can't (won't) ever think that the offense will surpass the defense with Ray Lewis still on the field. When he retires, then the offense should surpass the D.

[Purple Punishment]

Our D will be revamped and with a better looking secondary our D will surely be Top 3. Our offensive line however has too many variables to know what will happen.

[ThunderPig317]

I say tied. And how about this math? 1+1=1. #1 Offense plus #1 defense equals #1 team!!